Weighted thigh pad exercise apparatus and method of use

ABSTRACT

This invention relates to a weighted thigh pad for strength training while participating in a full contact sport. The weighed thigh pad includes a conforming plate, removable elements attaching to the conforming plate and resilient materials. The removable elements include weighted members and spacer members varying the desired weight during strength training by the user. The invention also relates to an exercise garment receiving the weighted thigh pad in a pocket. The invention further includes a method of strength training including selecting the desired weight and moving the thigh muscles.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to an apparatus for strength training while participating in full contact sports.

2. Description of Related Art

Conventional football thigh pads include a curved shape typically with three ridges formed across the pad. These known football thigh pads have a rigid element and are covered completely by a shock absorbing material. The mass of the conventional football thigh pads is typically a couple of grams as a primary object of their design is to provide adequate protection with minimal weight, such as, to not slow down a running back during a game.

Weighted suits for working out to increase strength training and/or calorie burning typically include one or more weights added to ankles and/or wrists. Special suits adapted to carry unpadded weights in pockets located on the thighs and elsewhere increase a risk of injury to the wearer and/or other players if these known suits are used during a full contact football practice.

There is a need for a device having increased weight for strength training while providing the needed safety and protection of the user and other players for full contact sports.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to an exercise apparatus and a method for strength training while participating in a full contact sport, such as, football. The exercise apparatus includes at least one conforming plate for covering at least a portion of a thigh and at least one removable element attaching to the conforming plate. A resilient material covers at least a portion of the conforming plate and covers at least a portion of each removable element. According to an embodiment of this invention, the removable element includes weighted members and/or spacer members. Desirably, the weighted members are padded. Different combinations of weighted members and spacer members provide various total weights for the exercise apparatus depending upon the level desired by the user.

An attachment device, such as a hook and loop fastening system mounts the removable elements with respect to the conforming plate. Typically, three removable elements are included with each conforming plate.

The conforming plate and the weighted member include any desired mass. The weighted members, for example, may have a mass of between about 0.1 kilograms and about 1.5 kilograms, and desirably, amass of about 0.45 kilograms. The conforming plate, for example, may have a mass of between about 0.25 kilograms and about 1.0 kilograms, and desirably, a mass of about 0.45 kilograms.

The invention further includes an exercise garment covering at least a portion of the thigh with at least one plate pocket as a part of the exercise garment. The plate pocket desirably is positioned with respect to the thigh and receives at least a portion of the conforming plate. The plate pocket is accessible from an outside and/or an inside of the exercise garment. The plate pocket may include a cover flap maintaining the conforming plate within the plate pocket. The plate pocket may include a closure further keeping the conforming plate within the plate pocket.

The exercise garment includes shorts, pants, bibs and/or any other suitable apparel item. The exercise garment may include a suitable waist support. Other pockets for hip pads and tail bone pads maybe included, for example. According to an embodiment of this invention, the weighted thigh pad is known as or sold under the name THUNDER THIGHS™.

According to an embodiment of this invention, the exercise apparatus includes a pair of conforming plates positionable with respect to a top of a pair of thighs, three longitudinal removable elements attaching to each of the conforming plates where the removable elements are selected from weighted members or spacer members. This embodiment further includes a resilient back material covering a back portion of each conforming plate. The spacer member may include a rigid backing. This embodiment further includes a resilient front material covering a front portion of each conforming plate and the front resilient material has a plurality of apertures corresponding to each of the removable elements. This embodiment further includes a resilient removable element material covering at least a front portion of each removable element including both the weighted members and the spacer members resulting in a permanently padded configuration. This embodiment further includes a fastening system attaching each removable element to one of the conforming plates.

This embodiment of the invention also includes an exercise pant for covering the pair of thighs. A pair of plate pockets, as a part of the exercise pant and positioned with respect to the top of the pair of thighs, receives one of the conforming plates and the three removable elements. A flap covers an opening of each pocket and a closure secures the flap with respect to each pocket.

The invention also includes a method of strength training including the step of providing a conforming plate for attaching removable elements, selecting a desired number of weighted removable elements, selecting a desired number of spacer removable elements, attaching the removable elements to the conforming plate to form a weighted thigh pad, mounting the weighted thigh pad with respect to a thigh, moving the thigh and the weighed thigh pad, participating in a full contact sport with the weighted thigh pad, and protecting the thigh and other players with the weighted thigh pad.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other objects and features of this invention will be better understood from the following descriptions taken in conjunction with the drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a partial exploded view of an exercise apparatus, according to an embodiment of this invention;

FIG. 2 is a partial side sectional view of an exercise apparatus, according to an embodiment of this invention;

FIG. 3A is a partial side sectional view of a weighted member, according to an embodiment of this invention;

FIG. 3B is a partial side sectional view of a spacer member, according to an embodiment of this invention; and

FIG. 4, is a side view of an exercise garment, according to an embodiment of this invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

This invention relates to fitness products that combine strength training and full contact sports. Strength training broadly includes muscle building, endurance workouts, resistance training and any other suitable routine to tone, sculpt and/or desirably result in increased muscle mass. While this invention generally includes upper leg weights, one skilled in the art readily appreciates that many other muscles and/or muscle groups benefit from upper leg weights, such as, for example, abdominal muscles, back muscles, gluteus maxims and the like. Additionally, upper leg weights also may provide other cardiopulmonary and/or stamina benefits.

Full contact sports broadly include American football, indoor area football, Canadian football, rugby, Austrian football, lacrosse and any other suitable activity permitting physical interaction among players, typically wearing a padded uniform. According to an embodiment of this invention, a desired sport includes American rules football. Full contact sports range from elementary school, middle school, high school, college, amateur, Olympic and professional levels, for example.

According to an embodiment of this invention as shown in FIG. 1, exercise apparatus 10, sometimes referred to as a weighted thigh pad, shaped and weighted pad or a pad, includes at least one conforming plate 12 and at least one removable element 15.

Conforming plate 12, sometimes referred to as a plate, includes any suitable size and/or shape to at least partially contact user's thigh 11 and at least partially cover user's thigh 11. According to an embodiment of this invention, conforming plate 12 includes a generally rectangular shape bowed and/or curved generally along at least a top portion of user's thigh 11. The shape includes sides of about 10 centimeters to about 40 centimeters, for example. Other suitable sizes are possible, such as, youth, teen, adult and/or extra large.

The top of user's thigh 11 typically includes at least a portion of the quadriceps. Conforming plate 12 may include any suitable material supporting removable element 15 and having sufficient rigidity for thigh protection by dissipating an impact across a larger surface area. Conforming plate 12 includes metal, plastic, composite and/or any other suitable materials. According to an embodiment of this invention, conforming plate 12 is steel.

Typically, but not necessarily, conforming plate 12 includes a sufficient mass to aid in the strength training. Conforming plate 12 includes any suitable mass, such as, for example, ranging between about 0.25 kilograms and about 1.0 kilograms, and desirably, about 0.45 kilograms.

As shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 3A and 3B, the invention also includes removable element 15. According to an embodiment of this invention, removable element 15 includes weighted member 16, sometimes referred to as a weighted block, and/or spacer member 18, sometimes referred to as a foam block. Removable element 15 includes any suitable size and/or shape. FIG. 2 is shown in a flattened state for simplification, clarity and ease of depiction but the physical shape of exercise apparatus 10 would be arched from this view.

Desirably, removable elements 15 are generally equal in size facilitating interchangeability. Also desirably, removable elements 15 have a generally similar or arcuate shape to conforming plate 12, such as, to allow contact and mounting of removable element 15 to conforming plate 12 with fastener 20, as described below. Removable element 15 includes a length generally less than the width of conforming plate 12 and a width between about 1 centimeter to about 5 centimeters.

Exercise apparatus 10 may include any number of removable elements 15 attaching in any suitable orientation with respect to conforming plate 12. According to an embodiment of this invention, exercise apparatus 10 includes three removable elements 15 which may form a bar and/or a rib structure with respect to conforming plate 12, such as, for example, similar in shape to a conventional un-weighted football thigh pad. Those skilled in the art and guided by the teachings herein readily appreciate that consumer acceptance of a new product with additional functionality may be increased by maintaining some resemblance to known products. Rib structures may provide additional rigidity to exercise apparatus 10 and/or provide additional surface area to reduce pad slip or movement during use, for example. Each removable element 15 desirably attaches to conforming plate 12 generally parallel with respect to each other and each removable element 15 desirably attaches generally transverse to user's thigh 11. According to an embodiment of this invention, exercise apparatus 10 includes three longitudinal removable elements 15 attaching to each conforming plate 12.

Weighted member 16 includes any suitable size and/or shape. Weighted member 16 includes any suitable relatively dense material which desirably is not brittle relative to the forces and impacts experienced during full contact sports, for example. According to an embodiment of this invention, weighted member 16 includes steel and/or any other suitable iron alloys. Each weighted member 16 includes any suitable mass, for example, a mass of between about 0.1 kilograms and about 1.5 kilograms, and desirably, a mass of about 0.45 kilograms. Typically, but not necessarily, weighted members 16 used on the same conforming plate 12 have the same mass. Alternately, various different weighted members 16 may be used on the same conforming plate to allow additional combinations for strength training, such as, for example, combinations of 0.5X weighted members 16, 1.0X weighted members 16 and 1.5X weighted members 16, where X represents any suitable mass described above.

Typically, but not necessarily, each exercise apparatus 10 used for both of user's thighs 11 have the same mass.

Spacer member 18 includes any suitable size and/or shape. Spacer member 18 includes any suitable relatively less dense material which desirably is resilient and at least partially impact absorbing with respect to the impacts and/or hits of full contact sports, for example. According to an embodiment of this invention, spacer member 18 includes an open or a closed cellular foam, such as, urethane foam, vinyl foam and/or any other suitable polymer material. Each spacer member 18 may include a suitable rigid backing 28 imparting at least some stiffness to the spacer member 18. According to an embodiment of this invention, rigid backing 28 includes suitable plastic materials. Spacer member 18 may include foams of varying density, such as in a layered arrangement. Desirably, spacer member 18 has a substantially similar shape and/or size with respect to weighted member 16 to allow interchangeability, for example.

According to an embodiment of this invention, resilient material 13 covers at least a portion of conforming plate 12 and at least a portion of each removable element 15. Desirably, but not necessarily, resilient material 13 covers at least substantially all exterior surfaces of exercise apparatus 10. Resilient material 13 includes any suitable impact absorbing foam, pad, cushion and/or materials described above with respect to spacer member 18, for example.

Resilient material 13 includes resilient back material 14, sometimes referred to as back foam, such as, between user's thigh 11 and exercise apparatus 10. Resilient material 13 includes resilient front material 22, sometimes referred to as front foam, such as on top of exercise apparatus 10. According to an embodiment of this invention, resilient front material 22 includes at least one and/or a plurality of apertures 24 corresponding in shape and/or size to removable element 15. Desirably, resilient front material 22 includes three apertures 24 generally transverse to user's thigh 11 and generally parallel with respect to each other. Resilient material 13 includes resilient removable element material 26, covering at least a portion of the top of removable element 15.

Desirably, the resilient removable element material 26 and the resilient front material 22 have suitable thicknesses to result in a generally smooth transition and surface joint between them. Desirably, aperture 24 snugly receives removable element 15 to provide additional support and/or a clean appearance for exercise apparatus 10.

Those skilled in the art and guided by the teachings herein readily appreciate that resilient material 13 may further include any suitable surface treatments, such as, to increase durability, breathability, launderability, antimicrobial properties, odor resistance and/or any other attribute enhancing application.

Exercise apparatus 10 includes attachment 20, sometimes referred to as a fastening system, for removably affixing, locating, attaching, anchoring and/or otherwise joining conforming plate 12 and at least one removable element 15. According to an embodiment of this invention, attachment 20 includes a suitable hook and loop fastening system, such as, available under the trademark Velcro®. Desirably, removable elements 15 are removed and attached as many times as needed by attachment 20. Typical hook and loop fastening systems include a first portion permanently mounted with respect to conforming plate 12, such as, by adhesive, stitching and/or any other suitable relatively nonremovable mechanism and a second corresponding portion mounted with respect to removable element 15, such as, by adhesive, stitching and/or any other suitable relatively nonremovable mechanism. A surface of the first portion and a surface of the second portion engage to create the attachment 20. Other fastening systems are possible, for example, straps, belts, adhesives, snaps and any other suitable affixing devices.

The invention of exercise apparatus 10 further includes exercise garment 30 covering at least a portion of users's thigh 11 and containing at least a portion of conforming plate 12, as shown in FIG. 4, for example. According to an embodiment of this invention, exercise garment 30 includes at least one plate pocket 32, sometimes referred to as a pocket, positioned with respect to user's thigh 11 and receiving at least a portion of conforming plate 12. According to another embodiment of this invention, the mass increasing components are completely integral to the weighted thigh pad offering no interchangeability.

Exercise garment 30 includes any appropriate material including nylon, spandex and/or any other suitable woven or nonwoven material of appropriate weight. According to an embodiment of this invention, exercise garment 30 includes waist support 44 at least partially holding up at least a portion of exercise garment 30. Waist support 44 includes belts, waist bands, elastic and/or any other suitable adjustable or non-adjustable device transferring at least a portion of the load to a user's hips.

Plate pocket 32 includes any suitable shape or configuration for holding at least a portion of conforming plate 12 as a part of and with respect to exercise garment 30. According to an embodiment of this invention, plate pocket 32 includes at least one cover flap 34, sometimes referred to as a flap, to cover at least a portion of at least one side of pocket 32. Cover flap 34 can be any suitable size and/or shape. Desirably, but not necessarily, plate pocket 32 includes closure 36 to further assist or aid in keeping conforming plate 12 located with respect to exercise garment 30. Closure 36 includes hook and loop fasteners, snaps, zippers, buttons, rubber buttons and/or any other suitable device for joining at least two pieces of material in an overlapping or non-overlapping manner.

Exercise garment 30 includes shorts 38, bibs 40 and/or pants 42, as shown by corresponding reference numbers and dashed lines in FIG. 4, for example. Bibs 40, sometimes referred to as a singlet, typically include a torso or abdominal section and at least one shoulder strap or loop. Bibs 40 may act to further distribute weight and keep exercise garment 30 from moving during a workout including running, for example. Pants 42 vary from shorts 38 mainly based on leg length, for example.

Plate pocket 32 includes access from the outside of exercise garment 30, the inside of exercise garment 30 and/or both. According to an embodiment of this invention, plate pocket 32 is accessible from the outside of exercise garment 30 to allow changing removable elements 15, such as trading and/or changing weighted members 16 for spacer members 18 during football practice. Other pocket designs and closures are possible.

According to an embodiment of this invention, exercise garment 30 includes additional pockets, such as, for example, hip pad pocket 46, tail bone pad pocket 48, knee pad pocket (not shown) and/or any other suitable configuration.

This invention also includes a method of strength training, such as during football practices and/or scrimmages. The method includes the steps of providing conforming plate 12 for attaching removable elements 15, selecting a desired number of weighted removable elements 16, selecting a desired number of spacer removable elements 18, attaching removable elements 15 to conforming plate 12 to form weighted thigh pad 10, mounting weighted thigh pad 10 with respect to thigh 11, moving thigh 11 and weighed thigh pad 10, participating in a full contact sport with weighted thigh pad 10 and protecting thigh 11 and other players with weighted thigh pad 10.

According to an embodiment of the method and by way of example, the user selects one weighted removable element 16 and two spacer removable elements 18. The user attaches spacer removable elements 18 in an upper and a lower aperture 24 with respect to conforming plate 12. Alternately, the user selects two weighted removable elements 16 and one spacer removable elements 18. Desirably, the user distributes the mass of removable elements 15 as evenly as possible for a given configuration. As a third alternate, the user selects three weighted removable elements 16. As a fourth alternate, the user selects three spacer removable elements 18.

According to an embodiment of this invention, a total weight of exercise apparatus 10 for each leg includes about 0.25 kilograms to about 3.0 kilograms, and desirably, about 1.75 kilograms, for example.

While in the foregoing specification this invention has been described in relation to certain embodiments thereof, and many details have been set forth for purpose of illustration, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the invention is susceptible to additional embodiments and that certain of the details described herein can be varied considerably without departing from the basic principles of the invention. 

1. An exercise apparatus for full contact protection and strength training, the exercise apparatus comprising: at least one conforming plate for covering at least a portion of a thigh; at least one removable element attaching to the conforming plate; and a resilient material covering at least a portion of the conforming plate and at least a portion of each removable element.
 2. The exercise apparatus of claim 1, wherein the removable element comprises a weighted member or a spacer member.
 3. The exercise apparatus of claim 1, wherein each removable element attaches to the conforming plate with a hook and loop fastening system.
 4. The exercise apparatus of claim 1, wherein: each removable element attaches to the conforming plate generally parallel with respect to each other and each removable element attaches generally transverse to the thigh.
 5. The exercise apparatus of claim 1, further comprising three removable elements forming rib structures with respect to the conforming plate.
 6. The exercise apparatus of claim 2, wherein each weighted member has a mass of between about 0.1 kilograms and about 1.5 kilograms.
 7. The exercise apparatus of claim 6, wherein each weighted member has a mass of about 0.45 kilograms.
 8. The exercise apparatus of claim 1, wherein the conforming plate has a mass of between about 0.25 kilograms and about 1.0 kilograms.
 9. The exercise apparatus of claim 1, wherein the conforming plate has a mass of about 0.45 kilograms.
 10. The exercise apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: an exercise garment covering at least a portion of the thigh; and at least one plate pocket as a part of the exercise garment, each plate pocket positioned with respect to the thigh and receiving at least a portion of the conforming plate.
 11. The exercise apparatus of claim 10, wherein each plate pocket is accessible from an outside of the exercise garment.
 12. The exercise apparatus of claim 10, wherein each plate pocket includes a cover flap maintaining the conforming plate within the plate pocket.
 13. The exercise apparatus of claim 10, wherein the exercise garment is selected from the group consisting of shorts, pants, bibs and combinations thereof.
 14. The exercise apparatus of claim 10, wherein the exercise garment includes a waist support.
 15. The exercise apparatus of claim 10, wherein the exercise garment includes hip pad pockets and a tail bone pad pocket.
 16. An exercise apparatus for full contact protection and strength training, the exercise apparatus comprising: a pair of conforming plates positionable with respect to a top of a pair of thighs; three longitudinal removable elements attaching to each of the conforming plates, the removable elements selected from at least one of weighted members and spacer members; a resilient back material covering a back portion of each conforming plate; a resilient front material covering a front portion of each conforming plate, the front resilient material having a plurality of apertures corresponding to each of the removable elements; a resilient removable element material covering at least a front portion of each removable element; and a fastening system attaching each removable element to one of the conforming plates.
 17. The exercise apparatus of claim 16, wherein the spacer member comprises a rigid backing.
 18. The exercise apparatus of claim 16, further comprising: an exercise pant for covering the pair of thighs; a pair of plate pockets as a part of the exercise pant, each plate pocket positioned with respect to the top of the pair of thighs and each plate pocket receiving one of the conforming plates and three removable elements; a flap covering an opening of each pocket; and a closure securing the flap with respect to each pocket.
 19. A method of strength training comprising: providing a conforming plate for attaching removable elements; selecting a desired number of weighted removable elements; selecting a desired number of spacer removable elements; attaching the removable elements to the conforming plate to form a weighted thigh pad; mounting the weighted thigh pad with respect to a thigh; moving the thigh and the weighed thigh pad; participating in a full contact sport with the weighted thigh pad; and protecting the thigh and other players with the weighted thigh pad.
 20. The method of strength training of claim 19, wherein the full contact sport is football. 